Method and system for device to device communication

Abstract

A method and system for device-to-device (D2D) communication off-network is provided. The method includes providing, from a first D2D-UE to at least one second D2D-UE, a scheduling assignment (SA) providing, from between the first D2D-UE to the at least one second D2D-UE, MAC-PDU data according to the scheduling assignment.

Claims

1. A method of device-to-device (D2D) communication, the method including: providing, from a first D2D-UE to at least one second D2D-UE, a scheduling configuration, wherein the first D2D-UE and the at least one second D2D-UE form a managed D2D group; and providing, from the first D2D-UE to the at least one second D2D-UE, data according to the scheduling configuration, wherein the method further includes selectively authorizing the at least one second D2D-UE to transmit data on the reserved channel.

2. The method according to claim 1, where the reserved channel is defined at least in part according to a scheduling assignment (SA) resource index of the scheduling configuration.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the scheduling configuration is provided at least in part as a scheduling assignment (SA).

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first D2D-UE authorizes a second D2D-UE of the at least one second D2D-UE to transmit data on a Time Resource Pattern of Transmission (T-RPT) on which the first D2D-UE transmits data to the second D2D-UE.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein full duplex communication is provided between the first D2D-UE and the second D2D-UE on the reserved channel.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the at least one second D2D-UE comprises a plurality of D2D-UE's, and the first D2D-UE authorizes the plurality of D2D-UEs to transmit data on the T-RPT on which the first D2D-UE transmits data to the plurality of D2D-UES.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first D2D-UE authorizes the plurality of D2D-UEs to transmit data by providing transmission patterns to the plurality of D2D-UEs, wherein transmission patterns are provided in an SA, and an SA-ID field of a provided SA is used to identify a D2D-UE of the more than one D2D-UE for which the transmission patterns are intended.

8. The method according to claim 7, further including providing frequency resource indexes to the plurality of D2D-UEs to manage frequency domain interference at the first D2D-UE.

9. The method according to claim 1, further including providing mission critical push-to-talk (MCPTT) between the first D2D-UE and the at least one second D2D-UE.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first D2D-UE is configured to operate as a repeater, allowing one D2D-UE of the at least one second D2D-UE and an other D2D-UE of the at least one second D2D-UE to communicate with each other.

11. The method according to claim 10, further including establishing a first managed D2D group comprising the first D2D-UE and the one D2D-UE, and a second managed D2D group comprising the first D2D-UE and the other D2D-UE.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein a T-RPT is used for simultaneous transmission and reception of data between the first D2D-UE and the at least one second D2D-UE.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the data from different second D2D-UEs is frequency multiplexed.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the data comprises Medium Access Control-Protocol Data Units (MAC-PDUs), and an SA-ID is used to differentiate MAC-PDUs transmitted to the one D2D-UE with the MAC-PDUs transmitted to the other D2D-UE.

15. The method according to claim 1, when the first D2D-UE is configured to operate as a network relay to the at least one second D2D-UE, to provide network connectivity to the at least one second D2D-UE.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the scheduling configuration comprises a resource pool configuration that is configured by a base station that provides network coverage to the first D2D-UE.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the at least one second D2D-UE is able to communicate with a management center that administers the at least one second D2D-UE in an MCC system by the provided network gateway node.

18. A device-to-device (D2D) communication system, the system including: a first D2D-UE that is configured to: provide to the at least one second D2D-UE, a scheduling configuration, wherein the first D2D-UE and the at least one second D2D-UE form a managed D2D group; and provide to the at least one second D2D-UE, data according to the scheduling configuration: transmit data on a reserved channel of the scheduling configuration; and selectively authorize the at least one second D2D-UE to transmit data on the reserved channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a chart 100 of Mission Critical Communication Modes vs Applications for D2D communication;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a system for MCC individual or private calls;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a system a system for MCC group calls;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a system including a D2D repeater;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a system including a network gateway or relay;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a system including multi-watch D2D communication;

(8) FIG. 7A illustrates a system including MC-PTT design for group calls and broadcast group calls according to the prior art;

(9) FIG. 7B illustrates a system including MC-PTT design for group calls and broadcast group calls according to the prior art;

(10) FIG. 8 illustrates a system D2D-system according to the prior art;

(11) FIG. 9A illustrates a D2D communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(12) FIG. 9B illustrates a D2D communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(13) FIG. 10A illustrates a further D2D communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(14) FIG. 10B illustrates a further D2D communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(15) FIG. 11A illustrates a further D2D communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(16) FIG. 11B illustrates a further D2D communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(17) FIG. 12A illustrates a further D2D communication system, for providing managed D2D communication to realise full duplex communication in a private PPT voice call, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(18) FIG. 12B illustrates a further D2D communication system, for providing managed D2D communication to realise full duplex communication in a private PPT voice call, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(19) FIG. 13 illustrates a further D2D communication system, for providing managed D2D communication to realise efficient group scheduled communication among several D2D-UEs, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(20) FIG. 14A illustrates a further D2D communication system, for providing managed D2D communication to realise a D2D repeater, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(21) FIG. 14B illustrates a further D2D communication system, for providing managed D2D communication to realise a D2D repeater, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

(22) FIG. 15 illustrates a further D2D communication system, for providing managed D2D communication to realise a D2D network gateway, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(23) Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(24) Embodiments of the present invention provide managed (also referred to as coordinated) D2D communication. As discussed in further detail below, certain embodiments of the invention provide an operational mode in addition to other MCC-PTT modes, such as MCC-PTT of 3GPP Release 12.

(25) FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B illustrate a device-to-device (D2D) communication system 400, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system D2D communication system 400 includes a managing D2D-UE 401 and a managed D2D-UE 403, and illustrates basic managed D2D communication scenario, where an SA and MAC PDUs are transmitted by the managing D2D-UE 401.

(26) The managing D2D-UE 401 selects an SA resource index, such as SA index #0, to transmit an SA 402 in an saSubframe 406 to the managed D2D-UE 403. The SA 402 provides a time resource pattern of transmission (T-RPT), frequency resource, timing adjustment (TA) and modulation coding scheme (MCS), for the reception and decoding of data in the form of MAC-PDUs 404 at the managed D2D-UE 403. The T-RPT bitmap 407 indicates the subframes that are allocated for MAC-PDU transmission by the managing D2D-UE. The MAC-PDUs 404 transmitted by the managing D2D-UE 401 are sent in a first transmission of an SA period (i.e. the period for which resources are allocated) that is associated with the T-RPT bitmap 407.

(27) The managing D2D-UE 401 provides a MAC PDU transmission pattern 405 to indicate the mapping of its transmitted MAC-PDUs, which enables the managed D2D-UE 403 to receive and decode MAC-PDUs intended for it. The managing D2D-UE 401 utilises an 8-bit SA ID string to provide the MAC PDU transmission pattern 405 to the managed D2D-UE 402.

(28) While one managed D2D-UE 403 is illustrated in FIG. 9A, the skilled addressee will readily appreciate that the system 400 may include several managed D2D-UEs 403.

(29) FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B illustrate a D2D communication system 410, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The D2D communication system 410 is similar to the D2D communication system 400 of FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, however the SA is transmitted by a managing D2D-UE 411 and the MAC PDUs are transmitted by a managed D2D-UE 413. In particular, the managed D2D-UE 413 can only perform MAC-PDU transmission, on a predefined or reserved communication channel or range of communication channels, when it is authorised by the managing D2D-UE 411.

(30) An authorisation signal may be periodically transmitted by the managing D2D-UE 411, providing control information including T-RPT, frequency resource index or index range, and MCS for the encoding, mapping and transmitting the MAC-PDUs from the managed D2D-UEs 413. The authorisation signal may be included entirely in an SA 412 in the form of physical layer indicator signal for a particular SA period. Alternatively, the authorisation signal may comprise a combination of SA (corresponding to the SA 402 in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B) and the associated MAC-PDU (corresponding to the MAC-PDUs 404 in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B). As such, the authorisation signal may appear in the form high layer signalling i.e. MAC or RLC signal, providing scheduling related information.

(31) The managing D2D-UE 411 may utilise an SA ID bit string to indicate the MAC PDU transmission pattern 415 that is to be used by the managed D2D-UE 413. As such, a plurality of managed D2D-UEs 413 may each be provided with a distinct MAC PDU transmission pattern 415.

(32) FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B illustrate a D2D communication system 420, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The D2D communication system 420 is similar to the D2D communication system 400 of FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B and the D2D communication system 410 of FIG. 10 A and FIG. 10B, however is configured to provide full duplexing communication in an SA period.

(33) A managing D2D-UE 421 selects an SA resource index, e.g. SA index #0 to transmit an SA 422 that provides information for the reception and decoding of a subsequently transmitted MAC-PDUs 424, while further authorising a managed D2D-UE 423 to transmit MAC-PDUs 425 in the same SA period. The managing D2D-UE 421 may select the SA resource index randomly, according to predefined rules, or in any other suitable manner.

(34) The managing D2D-UE 421 and the managed D2D-UE 423 may share the same T-RPT or T-RPTs in the SA period for transmitting and receiving the MAC-PDUs. The MAC-PDUs transmitted by the managing D2D-UE 421 and the MAC-PDU(s) transmitted by the managed D2D-UE 423 are time-multiplexed on a MAC-PDU basis, where the MAC-PDUs 424 transmitted by managing D2D-UE are always mapped on the first four (4) sub-frames 426 in a T-RPT and the remaining sub-frames 427 are allocated for MAC-PDUs transmitted by either the managing D2D-UE 421 or the managed D2D-UE 423. Either way, the transmitted MAC-PDUs follow the MAC-PDU transmission patterns 405, and 415 provided by the managing D2D-UE 421.

(35) FIG. 12 A and FIG. 12B illustrate a D2D communication system 450, for providing managed D2D communication to realise full duplex communication in a private PPT voice call. The full duplex communication improves voice conversation user experience when compared to halt-duplex communication.

(36) The first device 451 is used to enter a number of a second device 455, upon which a PTT button is pressed and held 452 to establish a connection with second device 455. An SA 453 transmitted by the first device 451 is used to reserve a forward channel 454 and a reverse channel 457 for voice packet transmission. A PTT button may be pressed and held 456 on the second device 455 to answer the call, and by continuing to hold the PTT button, voice packets 457 are sent on the T-RPT reserved by the SA 453.

(37) The first device 451 is initially a managing D2D-UE, and the second device 455 is initially a managed D2D-UE. However, the managing and managed roles of the first and second devices 451, 455 can be seamlessly exchanged. For example, as the PTT button on the first device 451 is released while the PTT button on the second device 455 remains held, the second device 455 takes over the managing role to maintain the communication by periodically transmitting SA without user intervention, as illustrated in 450.a.

(38) FIG. 13 illustrates a D2D communication system 430, for providing managed D2D communication to realise efficient group scheduled communication among several D2D-UEs.

(39) A managing D2D-UE 431 transmits multiple SAs 435, 436, 437 and associated MAC-PDUs 438, 439, 440 to different managed D2D-UEs 432, 433, 434 by selecting more than one SA resource index in an SA Period. The multiple SAs and associated MAC-PDUs are transmitted on a single T-RPT and the multiple MAC-PDUs transmitted by the managing D2D-UE 431 are frequency multiplexed. Alternatively, if there are insufficient frequency resources in a T-RPT for transmitting the MAC-PDUs, multiple non-overlapping T-RPTs can be used.

(40) The managing D2D-UE 431 may also broadcast a single SA (i.e. SA 435=SA 436=SA 427) and associated MAC-PDU (i.e. MAC-PDU 438=MAC-PDU 439=MAC-PDU 440) to provide high layer configuration including scheduling related information for all managed D2D-UEs 432, 433, 434 to perform periodic report such as position reports. Upon the reception of the SA 435, 436, 437 and associated MAC-PDU 438, 439, 440, the managed D2D-UEs 432, 433, 434 may transmit MAC-PDUs according to the configuration provided by the managing D2D-UE 431 using the assigned T-RPT and allocated frequency resources, or self-derived frequency resources. For the managed D2D-UEs sharing the same T-RPT, the MAC-PDUs are frequency multiplexed to allow the managing D2D-UE 431 to simultaneously receiving MAC-PDUs from multiple managed D2D-UEs 432, 433, 434 to enabling receiver interference management.

(41) FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B illustrate a D2D communication system 500, for providing managed D2D communication to realise a D2D repeater. In particular, a first D2D-UE 501 acts as repeater allowing second and third D2D-UEs 502, 503 that are out of range of each other to communicate with each other.

(42) The first D2D-UE 501, the second D2D-UE 502 and third D2D-UE 503 are not under network coverage. The second D2D-UE 502 and the third D2D-UE 503 are, however, within transmission range with the first D2D-UE 501, but the second D2D-UE 502 and the third D2D-UE 503 are out of transmission range with each other. The out of range can be caused by distance separation and/or shadowing (i.e. shadow fading).

(43) When being configured to operate in repeater D2D mode, the first D2D-UE 501 may establish two-way communication with the out-of-range second D2D-UE 502 and third D2D-UE 503 in the form of first and second managed D2D communication groups. The first managed D2D communication group includes the managing D2D-UE 501 and the managed D2D-UE 502. The second managed D2D communication group includes the managing D2D-UE 501 and the managed D2D-UE 503. In an SA period, the first D2D-UE 501 may configure the second D2D-UE 502 and the third D2D-UE 503 by providing control information in the form of two independent SA resource indexes. In particular, the first D2D-UE 501 may broadcast the SA and its associated MAC-PDUs 504 having configuration to the second D2D-UE 502, and the SA and its associated MAC-PDUs 505 having configuration to the third D2D-UE 503.

(44) The first D2D-UE 501 may use the same T-RPT for mapping the MAC-PDUs 504 intended for the second D2D-UE 502 and the third D2D-UE 503. The first D2D-UE 501 may periodically broadcast the configuration 504 and 505 to allow late coming D2D-UEs (not illustrated) to utilise its repeater D2D mode services. On an SA-period basis, the first D2D-UE 501 may periodically broadcast the SA 506 to the first managed D2D group and/or the SA 507 to the second managed D2D group providing control information.

(45) The control information can be used for the reception/decoding of the relayed MAC-PDUs 509, 511 and also comprises an authorisation signal for the managed D2D-UEs 502, 503 to transmit data, i.e. MAC-PDUs 508, 510, for being relayed.

(46) In handling transmission of the relayed MAC-PDUs 511, 509 and reception of the MAC-PDUs 508, 510 for being relayed, the first D2D-UE 501 may perform multiplexing to improve latency and manage interference.

(47) In particular, the same T-RPT may be used for simultaneously transmitting the relayed MAC-PDUs 511, 509 to the second D2D-UE 502 and third D2D-UE 503, where the MAC-PDUs 511 intended to the 2nd D2D-UE 502 and the MAC-PDUs 509 intended for the 3rd D2D-UE (503) are frequency multiplexed. Similarly, the same T-RPT may be used for simultaneously receiving the MAC-PDUs 508, 510 for being relayed from the second D2D-UE 502 and the third D2D-UE 503, where the MAC-PDUs 508 for being relayed from the second D2D-UE 502 and the MAC-PDUs 510 being relayed from the third D2D-UE 503 are frequency multiplexed.

(48) The same T-RPT or non-overlapping T-RPTs may be used for transmitting the relayed MAC-PDUs 511 and receiving MAC-PDUs 508 for being relayed to and from the second D2D-UE 502, or for transmitting the relayed MAC-PDUs 509 and receiving MAC-PDUs 510 for being relayed to and from the third D2D-UE 503.

(49) As such, full duplexing can be provided with low (1 SA period) latency.

(50) FIG. 15 illustrates a D2D communication system 600, for providing managed D2D communication to realise a D2D network gateway. In particular, a first D2D-UE 620, which is under network coverage, provides network connectivity services to a plurality of second D2D-UEs 622, 623, 624 and 625 that are out of network coverage. As such, the second D2D-UEs 622, 623, 624 and 625 are able to communicate with a management centre 650, for example in providing periodic position reports, or to communicate with other D2D-UEs which are not within the transmission range but can be reached through the network. In MCC, the management centre 650 is generally the sub-system that administers and manages the MCC D2D-UEs 622, 623, 624 and 625.

(51) The first D2D-UE 620 establishes a managed D2D group 621 where it functions as managing D2D-UE and the second D2D-UEs 622, 623, 624, 625 function as managed D2D-UEs that require network relay services periodically or on demand. The managing D2D-UE 620 applies a mode-2 resource pool configuration of the network 610 for transmission and/or reception of SAs and associated MAC-PDUs within the managed group. The managing D2D-UE 620 may further periodically broadcast MAC-PDUs carrying the mode-2 network resource pool configuration in the form of high layer signalling or application data to the managed D2D-UEs in its managed groups. By applying the mode-2 network resource pool configuration in its managed groups, the managing D2D-UE 620 can coordinate the D2D and cellular signal transmission/reception on a subframe basis without network/eNB intervention.

(52) The managing D2D-UE 620 may use an SA-ID to differentiate periodically broadcasted MAC-PDUs carrying mode-2 network resource pool configurations with network originating relayed MAC-PDUs. As such, both current and incoming managed D2D-UEs may utilise its relayed services. Within the managed D2D group, the managed D2D-UEs 622, 623, 624, 625, cannot transmit MAC-PDUs for being relayed unless they are authorised by the group managing D2D-UE 620. For periodic relay service, when being configured, the managing D2D-UE 620 periodically broadcasts the authorisation signal on the SA 631 or a combination of the SA 631 and the MAC-PDUs 632 to provide schedule information 630 for the managed D2D-UEs 622, 623, 624 and 625 to transmit their MAC-PDUs for being relayed. The managing D2D-UE 620 may schedule the managed D2D-UEs to use the same T-RPT or non-overlapping T-RPT for transmitting their MAC-PDUs where the managed D2D-UEs' MAC-PDUs sharing the same T-RPT are frequency multiplexed for interference management at the managing D2D-UE 620 receiver.

(53) According to certain embodiments, a multi-watch or multi-channels monitoring/listening D2D communication may be provided. In such case, the first D2D-UE may be under network coverage having capability to simultaneous monitor or listen to conversations of more than one D2D group and the cellular network. The first D2D-UE may have one primary speaker and an associated microphone, and one or more secondary speakers. The primary speaker and the associated microphone may be used by the first D2D-UE to actively participate in and control voice communication in a managed communication group, where the secondary speakers allow the first D2D-UE to monitor or listen to other D2D groups which may by MCPTT groups, managed D2D groups or cellular channel(s).

(54) Embodiments of the present invention, described above, introduces managed or coordinated D2D communication, suitable for mission critical communication, where managed or coordinated D2D-UEs are restricted from transmitting unless they receive authorisation from a managing or coordinating D2D-UE.

(55) The D2D-UE communication systems may include a D2D repeater or D2D network relay, and may enhance user experience in full duplex communication.

(56) In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

(57) Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

(58) In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

(59) This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Australian provisional patent application No. 2015900449, filed on Feb. 12, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

(60) 400, 410, 420, 430, 450, 500, 600 D2D communication system 401, 403, 411, 413, 421, 423, 431 to 434, 451, 455, 501 to 503, 620, 622 to 625 D2D-UE